City · Michigan
Ionia, Michigan
Ionia, city, in Ionia County, Michigan. Ionia had 12,208 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 8.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,378 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,753 (±25). GEOID 2640860.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,208
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,378 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,753 ±25
Median household income
$63,978
±$11,561 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$164,800
±$8,890 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$852
±$57 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Ionia and what county is it in?
Ionia is a city in Ionia County, Michigan. It covers 5.4 square miles of land, 2,472 residents per square mile in 2020.
Ionia is in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ionia, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,208 people lived in Ionia on July 1, 2025, down 8.7% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 13,378 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,753 (±25).
| Measure | Ionia | Ionia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,753 ±25 | 66,574 | +1,606 |
| Households | 3,939 ±300 | 23,355 | +1,015 |
| Average household size | 2.46 ±0.19 | 2.71 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,076 ±300 | 24,861 | +785 |
Ionia's population since 2000
From 10,569 in 2000 to 12,208 in 2025: up 15.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ionia as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ionia?
The median resident of Ionia is 36.6 years old; 14.8% are under 18 and 12.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.5%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ionia | Ionia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 ±2.2 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 14.8% ±2.4 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.2% ±2.6 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Male | 64.4% ±2.6 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% ±2.0 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.6% ±3.4 pts | 85.3% | +6.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.5% ±1.8 pts | 3.3% | −9.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2% ±2.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9% ±1.1 pts | 1.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.5% ±1.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.3% ±2.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.3% ±3.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.9% ±2.2 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.8% ±2.8 pts | 91.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 10.0% ±3.5 pts | 18.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.0% ±1.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 76.9% ±4.5 pts | 87.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ionia earn?
Half of Ionia's 3,939 households earn less than $63,978 a year (±$11,561), against $75,611 in Ionia County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $60,183 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ionia | Ionia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,978 ±$11,561 | $75,611 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,646 ±$7,500 | $88,563 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,127 ±$1,904 | $33,289 | +$4,899 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0% ±4.1 pts | 10.6% | −12.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.9% ±11.4 pts | 13.0% | −16.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.4% ±4.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.0% ±4.9 pts | 93.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.2% ±6.5 pts | 87.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ionia?
Owners occupy 59.6% of Ionia's occupied homes and renters 40.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $164,800 by its owner (±$8,890). The median renter pays $852 a month including utilities, and 33.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ionia | Ionia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $164,800 ±$8,890 | $198,500 | +$44,684 |
| Median gross rent | $852 ±$57 | $884 | −$149 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.0% ±12.2 pts | 35.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,262 ±$104 | $1,383 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 59.6% ±6.4 pts | 77.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 40.4% ±6.4 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Housing units | 4,076 ±300 | 24,861 | +785 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.2% ±6.3 pts | 74.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.2% ±2.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 42.5% ±7.3 pts | 27.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.7% ±5.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Ionia work and get to work?
67.8% of Ionia's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes.
| Measure | Ionia | Ionia County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.6% ±4.0 pts | 59.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9% ±1.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 67.8% ±7.8 pts | 78.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.3% ±5.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 5.9% ±3.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 5.5% ±3.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9% ±2.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min ±3.0 | 27.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ionia?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Ionia, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 317Ionia County | 5,590 | $66,078 |
| Tract 316Ionia County | 6,742 | $69,034 |
| Tract 9822Ionia County | 2,585 | not published |
| Tract 321Ionia County | 2,006 | $70,956 |
| Tract 319Ionia County | 5,948 | $67,231 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ionia) · Census block assignment files
How does Ionia compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ionia is the 2,798th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 75th-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Ionia ranks 890th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 75th | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1,280th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 105th | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 890th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,294th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 973rd | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 848th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 496th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,297th | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,156th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,252nd | 1,356 |
| Work from home | 937th | 1,062 |
| Travel time to work | 936th | 1,356 |
Ionia's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Ionia with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ionia?
11 of the 57 figures for Ionia on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ionia are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Ionia.